In dentistry, there are preventative, corrective, and cosmetic procedures. Preventative measures are taken to prevent future damage and to maintain health, corrective procedures are taken to minimize or eliminate existing damage, and cosmetic procedures are generally aesthetic in nature.
If you are interested in that third category, then here is a brief introduction to the subject:
Cosmetic Dentistry
As the name would imply, cosmetic dentistry involves an professional work done to improve the appearance of one's teeth. This can range from teeth whitening to straightening or even gum removal. Most dentists are capable of performing any cosmetic procedure, but there are also specialized individuals who market themselves as cosmetic dentists.
The Procedures
One of the most common cosmetic procedures is teeth whitening, which is used to remove blemishes and discoloration from teeth. While there are products that you can buy at any drugstore which promise to whiten your teeth, the safer and more effective choice is to have a professional whiten your teeth. The procedure generally consists of the application of a bleaching solution to the affected teeth. While at-home whitening kits use fairly weak bleach solutions due to safety regulations, dentists are allows to use much stronger and much more effective options.
Straightening is a much more intensive procedure, which is used to manipulate the relative position and orientation of teeth in your mouth. For many patients, this is a purely aesthetic change, but it can also have health-related benefits. For instance, if poor teeth alignment causes gum damage or difficulty chewing, straightening can greatly increase your quality of life. In order to straighten your teeth, a dentist will normally use braces or retainers to gradually induce change.
Gum contouring is a procedure reserved for patients who are not content with the position of their gums relative to their teeth. Gums can be either too high or too low, which can lead to individuals feeling self-consciousness about their smiles. Lasers are often used to contour the gums, but traditional contouring via a scalpel is fairly common as well.
Finally, tooth reshaping is used to affect the general shape and appearance of a tooth. It's ideal for removing chips and subtly improving the appearance of your smile, but this does come at the cost of your enamel. In order to reshape your tooth, enamel must be modified and removed, which can lead to sensitivity and vulnerability.
Conclusion
Cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of procedures for improving the appearance of your teeth, some of which also have health benefits. If you are interested in improving your smile, then consider some of these cosmetic procedures and talk to a local cosmetic dentist (such as Katz Family Dentistry PC).
Share21 January 2015
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